Democracy runs on doubt, but healthy scepticism can tip into destructive distrust of experts and authorities. In the wake of the COVID pandemic, Brexit and growing political polarisation, University of Vienna researchers Anna Durnová and Vendula Mezeiová explored how doubt becomes political: when do citizens cross the line between constructive scrutiny and rejection of expertise?

Hot days and tropical nights now mark Austria's longest days of the year. What impact does extreme heat have on our mental and physical performance? University of Vienna psychologist Julia Reiter, cognitive scientist Claus Lamm and sports and nutrition specialist Daniel König discuss the science behind heat and health, as well as strategies for adapting to the new normal.

The digital public sphere is changing the way we talk to one another and, as a result, the way democracy works. Where does freedom of expression end and where does hate speech begin? University of Vienna scholars Magdalena Pöschl and Jörg Matthes discuss this in the video.

Democracy can backslide even when most people say they support it. University of Vienna political scientist Marta Vukovic explains why citizens sometimes tolerate democratic violations and what it takes to protect liberal democracy.

Markus Aspelmeyer has won the 2026 Wittgenstein Award, widely considered to be the 'Austrian Nobel Prize' with an endowment of 2 million euros. At the heart of the quantum physicist's research is one of the biggest questions in physics: Is there a theory that describes both gravity and quantum effects?

Gender inequality remains the most durable form of inequality. Oxford historian Martin Conway has a radical claim: democracy helped reinforce it. In this interview, Johanna Taufner, doctoral researcher in political science at the University of Vienna, talks with Conway about the model of male-centred citizenship that dominates Western democracy, the manosphere and how democracy can be reimagined.